§ 29. Miss Harvie Andersonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will consult with the Regional Arts Associations with a view to their undertaking the arrangements for tours by small companies, so as to ensure continuity of their engagements.
§ The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Miss Jennie Lee)Nearly all the regional arts associations already arrange tours by small companies, and on 14th June representatives of the associations discussed inter-regional co-operation in this field. A meeting of their officers will be held in November to discuss touring plans for the following years.
§ Miss Harvie AndersonI thank the right hon. Lady for that reply. However, would she bear in mind the necessity of urging forward the inter-regionalisation administrative arrangements so that companies such as the Minerva Ballet, which do such good work on an Arts Council shoestring, may have the assurance of continuity?
§ Miss LeeI am sure that all our regional associations will be looking round eagerly for every gifted company on the boards.